Dean Martin's daughter Deana brands John Legend's #MeToo version of Baby It's Cold Outside 'absurd' and says tells GMB the singer's 'sensitive' re-write has made the Christmas classic MORE sexual

Dean Martin's daughter has branded the new 'woke' lyrics to the Christmas classic Baby It's Cold Outside 'absurd' - and suggested the revamped version has actually made it more provocative.

John Legend rewrote parts of the lyrics - sung by the Rat Pack icon in 1953 - in light of criticism from #MeToo activists who claimed the song encourages sexual assault.

But Deana Martin hit back at those claims and said the singer's 'sensitive' re-write has just stolen the thunder from her crooner father and famed songwriter Frank Loesser.

What was originally: 'I've got to go away, but baby it's cold outside' in Loesser's original - written in 1944 - is replaced with: 'I've got to go away, I can call you a ride' in Legend's revamped version

Asked if it has offended her, Ms Martin said: 'Absolutely.

'You do not change the lyrics to the song. He's [Legend] made it more sexual with those words he's said. It's absolutely absurd.

'I think what he's done is he's stealing the thunder from Frank Loesser's song and my dad.

'He should write his own song if he doesn't like this one, but don't change the lyrics. It's a classic, perfect song.'

On how her father would have reacted, she said: 'He would have laughed. He wouldn't care about something like this, it's just too absurd for him.

'It was a fabulous song and it's been recorded by so many different people. My dad didn't care about things like that.

'He was just such a great guy and [its] such a fabulous song that I think John should have just left it alone.'

She added: 'This is 60 years old this song. I think they've all lost their minds. Thank you for bringing it to the forefront.'

Also appearing on GMB was British soul singer Ruby Turner who defended Legend's changes, suggesting the new version was 'perfectly alright.'

She said: 'They haven't rewritten the whole song, they're just tweaking one or two lines.

'That song was written in 1944 - back then it was okay to say things like that. Things have changed, people have moved on.

'If you put the lyrics under a microscope you might understand it.'

American singer-songwriter Sheila Ferguson took Piers' side on the debate, adding: 'It's a cutesy classic - this song has nothing to do with the #MeToo movement.

'There are so many other they could have focused on. I thought it was a gimmick - why haven't they rewritten rap lyrics?'

The song was written in 1944 by Loesser, an iconic American songwriter who penned the music for Guys and Dolls among other Broadway shows.

It has long been claimed that he wrote the song to sing with his wife for a housewarming party to indicate to guests that it was time for everyone else to leave.

Over the last 70 years, it has been recorded by artists including Dean Martin, Doris Day and Bing Crosby, James Taylor and Natalie Cole, Michael Buble with Anne Murray and then Idina Menzel, Christina Aguilera with Cee-Loo Green.

Legend himself has not yet commented on the new lyrics, nor has Clarkson who recorded the song with the original lyrics for her 2013 Christmas album with Ronnie Dunn.

ORIGINAL LYRICS (in part)

I really can't stay (but baby, it's cold outside)

I've got to go away (but baby, it's cold outside)

This evening has been (been hoping that you'd drop in)

So very nice (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)

My mother will start to worry (beautiful what's your hurry?)

My father will be pacing the floor (listen to the fireplace roar)

So really I'd better scurry (beautiful please don't hurry)

But maybe just a half a drink more (put some records on while I pour)

The neighbors might think (baby, it's bad out there)

Say what's in this drink? (no cabs to be had out there)

JOHN LEGEND'S NEW LYRICS

I really can't stay (baby it's cold outside)

I've got to go away (I can call you a ride

This evening has been (so glad that you dropped in)

So very nice (time spent with you is paradise

My mother will start to worry (I'll call a car and tell 'em to hurry)

What will be friends think (I think they should rejoice)

If I have one more drink? (It's your body and your choice)

Legend has not yet released the full song. It will be on his Christmas album, out November 8.

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Dean Martin's daughter Deana brands John Legend's #MeToo version of Baby It's Cold Outside 'absurd' and says tells GMB the singer's 'sensitive' re-write has made the Christmas classic MORE sexual
Reviewed by CUZZ BLUE
on
November 05, 2019
Rating: 5